Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is confident Portugal can enjoy a successful campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Roberto Martinez’s side will be targeting a historic first World Cup title at the tournament.
Portugal have shown remarkable progress in recent years, highlighted by victories over Germany and Spain on their way to winning the UEFA Nations League, further strengthening belief that they can challenge for football’s biggest prize.
Portugal Making Progress
“I feel like in every competition we’ve gone through, we’ve been progressing,” Dias told FIFA.com.
“We have many quality players. Also, we have a lot of players playing at the best level of football – that comes with dealing with the pressure, knowing what that pressure feels like.
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“Still, every new competition is a new beginning. For me, the most important thing is when you first encounter some difficulties. Those will shape you for whatever’s left in the competition. The way you react will start, little by little, to tell you how far can you actually go.”
Dias Targets World Cup Success
Portugal’s best result so far was in 1966 when Eusebio spearheaded their charge to a third-place finish.
Asked if there is belief that Portugal can go all the way in North America, Dias responds: “I feel like more than a belief, there’s an ambition to do so. We have our feet well on the ground. We know how difficult it is and how much we will have to work for it.
“The feeling [of belief] will have to grow with the competition, with the feeling of confidence after every game, after every step, after every difficulty. So, we’re humble about it, but we’re more ambitious than ever.”
Portugal will begin their World Cup campaign on 17 June when they take on Congo DR at Houston Stadium. They will face Uzbekistan at the same venue six days later before rounding off their group campaign with a mouthwatering Miami showdown with Colombia on 26 June.
